Willem van Schaik

While I like the scientific chat on Mastodon, I am missing the mix of that, and current events, and just random stuff that Twitter used to provide (before a billionaire moron took over) on here.

That does not mean I am leaving, but engagement will be lower than it was on Twitter. Perhaps that is not a bad thing.

Jul 23, 2023 at 9:25pmWeb
Show threadGabriele PollaraJul 23, 2023

@wvschaik you're right. In fact makes me think, now that twitter is properly spiralling, I might as well start posting more random things on here. As you say make it more fun.

My personal experience is that general engagement is actually good here. Just would like if there was more academic discussions on here too, but that's not for everyone I guess.

Show threadhenryJul 23, 2023
@gpollara @wvschaik #RandomContentChallenge accepted: Last week, I watched an #AI generated YouTube video of #JohnnyCash singing #Barbie Girl, a #EuroDance hit from the 90s, as well as something by the #SpiceGirls. The quality was impressive - I was unable to hear any artifacts that would have suggested it was made with AI.
Show threadWillem van SchaikJul 23, 2023
@henry @gpollara link please!
Show threadhenryJul 23, 2023
@wvschaik @gpollara Click on the JohnnyCash hashtag - others have posted links. This thing needs content warning!
Show threadWillem van SchaikJul 23, 2023
@gpollara this evening I followed the results of the elections in Spain, wouldn't know how to do that here while I follow accounts that provide news and analysis on Twitter/X
Show threadGabriele PollaraJul 23, 2023

@wvschaik so yes, I agree, this is less good here for now, but there are a few ways round. Searching #spain for example dug up quite a few opinions. Along way I've found good journalists on here too, @fulelo a good eg. And also @NewsDesk is a reliable source of news content
https://flipboard.social/@NewsDesk/110765618846685923

Overall, not claiming it's perfect at all here, but there's also a strange surfacing of good accounts over time, I've found. Must be something to do with Federated setup that I still don't truly get.

Flipboard News Desk (@[email protected])

Millions have voted in Spain’s snap election, and the conservative Popular Party is in the lead. Follow live with BBC News: https://flip.it/t772R6 #Spain #News #WorldNews #Europe

Flipboard
Show threadKriszta SatoriJul 24, 2023
@gpollara @wvschaik @NewsDesk cheers, Gabriele
Show threadKriszta SatoriJul 24, 2023
@gpollara @wvschaik @NewsDesk i might just # BBCNews from now on too for people to find it easier - if it makes sense?
Show threadGabriele PollaraJul 24, 2023
@fulelo @wvschaik @NewsDesk yes, I think that would be helpful, especially if any of your colleagues also start using the #BBCNews hashtag, which is very recognisable.
Show threadKriszta SatoriJul 24, 2023
@gpollara @wvschaik @NewsDesk i haven't noticed a mass influx of beeb journos yet, altogether 10 of us here probably - all doing very different bits (global, national, local, disability, tech, other specialism) - still no strategic push for soc med, all on here in their own private time and volition
Show threadKriszta SatoriJul 24, 2023
@gpollara @wvschaik @NewsDesk there are very many journalists here, predominantly American - if you browse the journa.host server you can find aplenty of us. What seems to lack here are journos from Africa and LatAm...
Show threadWillem van SchaikJul 24, 2023
@gpollara @NewsDesk @fulelo thank, I think the trick is to search with hashtags! I guess I hadn't fully understood that
Show threadKriszta SatoriJul 24, 2023
@wvschaik @gpollara @NewsDesk yes, like in the early days over on the birdsite
Show threadchristoph_STCmicrobeblogJul 24, 2023
@wvschaik
similar feelings here
Show threadnaturepokerJul 24, 2023

@wvschaik IMHO, this could be because federation structure of Mastodon requires more proactive search for content/people to follow.

I started following more people outside my immediate biology interests (via hastags and off global stream), and the timeline's definitely become more casually entertaining.

Show threadCarina SteendamJul 24, 2023
@wvschaik same feeling. And also I feel it's quite a bit more left leaning here. I miss the mix and miss my farmers bubble. Will toot a cat photo now to add some light entertainment 😀
Show threadMargaret GoldJul 30, 2023
@wvschaik I'm placing my bets on that gradually growing over here too... Just more organically